How to Select a Car in Your Price Range

A car is one of the fundamental resources required for fulfilled adult life in the twenty-first century. It enables you to easily commute to work, to pick up the supplies you need from the store, and to visit family and friends whenever you want.

It’s also a considerable investment, and as such, you’ll want to be well-prepared when going in to negotiate the purchase of a new or used vehicle to supplement your lifestyle. This guide talks you through this process so that you get the very best deal for your budget.

Used or New?

This is perhaps the first question you should ask yourself when buying a car. It’s also incredibly complex; some new cars will last as long as used ones, though sometimes used cars will clap out within a year or two of your purchasing it.

You’ll have to bear in mind maintenance costs, too, which can often be incredibly pricey on older, used cars. In general, you’re looking to the maintenance history and the mileage to see whether the used car you’re looking at will be better value than a new model.

Other Factors to Consider

• Insurance

  Insurance rates vary wildly between vehicles as well as between individuals. An older driver with little-to-no claims in their insurance history will find it relatively easy and cheap to secure insurance for all kinds of vehicles; a young driver with a recent history of accidents may not be able to secure insurance on some types of vehicle.

  It’s important to get some quotes from insurance companies before buying your chosen car, in order to understand the additional costs you’ll be tied to in insuring yourself to drive. Oftentimes, a less-powerful, reliable car will be your cheapest bet.

• Finance

  Nowadays, you’ll not be required to purchase your car outright – you’ll be able to buy it on finance. For those with bad credit car finance can be secured by anyone thanks to online providers.

  If you’re in need of a vehicle with urgency, perhaps because of a new job to which you’ll have to commute, finance might be your best bet if you’ve not quite got the funds to buy outright. You’ll pay a little extra for the pleasure, but it’ll come out of your monthly paycheck just like rent, so shouldn’t put too heavy a dent into your finances.

• Performance

  If you’re car shopping simply for an upgrade, then it’s time to talk performance. What is it that you wish to upgrade – in-car entertainment, speed, and horsepower, or ride comfort? Do your research online in order to get an idea of which cars are currently rated as the best value in the market, and go from there.

  It’s not unusual for individuals to buy vehicles for the way they look, but be careful as some looks can be deceiving. At the end of the day, your car needs to perform its function, so you should read into the performance statistics and figures before putting pen to paper.

These tips to selecting your next car on a budget will help you make the right decision for your price range.